Haptic Feedback Sensations Based on Audio Output From Computer Devices

ABSTRACT

Triggering haptic sensations based on sound output from a computer device. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a user as audio from an application program running on a computer. The portion of sound data is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least one sound feature from the sound data. The execution of at least one haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature, where the haptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximately correlated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio. The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user. Different haptic effects can be associated with different sound features, frequency ranges, amplitudes, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems for allowing humansto interface with computer systems, and more particularly to methods forproviding haptic feedback to the user interfacing with one or morecomputer applications involving sound output.

A user can interact with an environment displayed by a computer toperform functions and tasks on the computer, such as playing a game,experiencing a simulation or virtual reality environment, using acomputer aided design system, operating a graphical user interface(GUI), navigate web pages, etc. Common human-computer interface devicesused for such interaction include a mouse, joystick, trackball, gamepad,remote control, steering wheel, stylus, tablet, pressure-sensitivesphere, or the like, that is in communication with the computer systemcontrolling the computer environment. The computer updates theenvironment in response to the user's manipulation of a physicalmanipulandum such as a joystick handle, button, or mouse, and providesvisual and audio feedback to the user utilizing the display screen andaudio speakers. The computer senses the user's manipulation of the userobject through sensors provided on the interface device that sendlocative signals to the computer.

In some interface devices, kinesthetic force feedback and/or tactilefeedback is also provided to the user, more generally known collectivelyherein as “haptic feedback.” These types of interface devices canprovide physical sensations which are felt by the user manipulating auser manipulandum of the interface device. One or more motors or otheractuators are coupled to the manipulandum and are connected to thecontrolling computer system. The computer system controls forces on themanipulandum in conjunction and coordinated with computer events andinteractions by sending control signals or commands to the actuators.The computer system can thus convey physical force sensations to theuser in conjunction with other supplied feedback as the user is graspingor contacting the interface device or manipulatable object of theinterface device.

The audio feedback provided to the user is an inherent part of manyapplication programs, especially games. Some existing haptic feedbackdevices are designed to provide haptic sensations based directly on thesound output from the computer. The sound output waveform is directlyrouted to the interface device so that tactile sensations, such asvibrations, are based directly on the sound output waveform or afiltered portion thereof, much like the way a speaker operates.

A disadvantage of existing haptic sensations based on direct soundwaveforms is that the haptic sensations are simple effects baseddirectly on the sound signals. No evaluation or processing of the soundsignals is accomplished before sending the signals to the haptic device.This can cause undesirable or disconcerting haptic sensations to beoutput to the user since not all of the sound output is appropriate fordirectly translation into haptic sensations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward triggering the output of hapticsensations based on sound output from a computer device. The output ofhaptic sensations is intelligently triggered by analyzing sound data forfeatures, allowing an enhanced user experience.

More particularly, an interface device of the present invention providesa method for triggering haptic sensations from sound features detectedin sound output from a computer, where the haptic sensations are able tobe output to a user of a haptic feedback device in communication withthe computer. A portion of sound data is stored that is output to a useras audio from an application program running on the computer. The sounddata is stored in a memory buffer of the computer. The portion of sounddata is analyzed using intelligent heuristics to extract at least onesound feature from the portion of sound data. The execution of at leastone haptic effect is triggered based on the sound feature(s), where thehaptic effect is commanded to the haptic feedback device approximatelycorrelated to the output of the portion of sound to the user as audio.The haptic effect causes a haptic sensation to be output to the user.

The triggered haptic sensation is preferably assigned to the soundfeatures found in the sound data. In some embodiments, analyzing theportion of sound data can includes processing the sound data intomultiple different frequency ranges and searching for sound features ineach of the frequency ranges. A haptic effect can be triggered for eachof the frequency ranges if the sound feature is present in thatfrequency range. Filters can be applied to the sound data, or a fastFourier transform can be used. Each frequency range can be associatedwith or mapped to a different haptic sensation. For example, each of thefrequency ranges can be associated with a periodic haptic sensationhaving a different frequency. Other types of haptic sensations can alsobe mapped and assigned to sound features so that they will trigger uponoutput of those sound features.

The present invention advantageously allows haptic feedback to be outputby a computer system running an application program having sound output.The present invention intelligently assigns haptic sensations tofeatures in the sound data to provide haptic feedback relevant to eventsin the application program which caused the sound output. This resultsin an overall improvement in user experience of the haptic feedbackbased on sound output.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon a reading of the followingspecification of the invention and a study of the several figures of thedrawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a hapticfeedback system suitable for use with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a mouse embodiment of thehaptic feedback device suitable for use with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a method ofthe present invention for providing haptic effects to be output ashaptic sensations based on provided sound data;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for the step ofFIG. 3 in which the sound data stored in the buffer is processed andanalyzed; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment for the step ofFIG. 3 in which the sound data stored in the buffer is processed andanalyzed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system 10 suitable foruse with the present invention, including a haptic feedback interfacedevice 12 in communication with a host computer 14.

Host computer 14 preferably includes a host microprocessor 20, a clock22, a display screen 26, and an audio output device 24. The hostcomputer also includes other well known components, such as randomaccess memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and input/output (I/O)electronics (not shown). The host computer 14 is a computing device thatcan take a wide variety of forms. For example, in the describedembodiments computer 14 is a personal computer or workstation, such as aPC compatible computer or Macintosh personal computer, or a Sun orSilicon Graphics workstation. Such a computer 14 can operate under theWindows™, MacOS™, Unix, MS-DOS, or other operating system.Alternatively, host computer 14 can be one of a variety of home videogame console systems commonly connected to a television set or otherdisplay, such as systems available from Nintendo, Sega, Sony, orMicrosoft. In other embodiments, host computer 14 can be a “set topbox”, a “network-” or “internet-computer”, a portable computer or gamedevice, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.

Host computer 14 preferably implements a host application program withwhich a user is interacting via device 12 and other peripherals, ifappropriate. In the context of the present invention, the hostapplication program is a digital audio editing program, as described ingreater detail below. Other application programs that utilize input ofdevice 12 and output haptic feedback commands to the device 12 can alsobe used. The host application program preferably utilizes a graphicaluser interface (GUI) to present options to a user and receive input fromthe user. This application program may include the haptic feedbackfunctionality described below; or, the haptic feedback control can beimplemented in another program running on the host computer, such as adriver or other application program. Herein, computer 14 may be referredas providing a “graphical environment,”, which can be a graphical userinterface, game, simulation; or other visual environment. The computerdisplays “graphical objects” or “computer objects,” which are notphysical objects, but are logical software unit collections of dataand/or procedures that may be displayed as images by computer 14 ondisplay screen 26, as is well known to those skilled in the art.Suitable software drivers which interface software with haptic feedbackdevices are available from Immersion Corporation of San Jose, Calif.

Display device 26 can be included in host computer system 14 and can bea standard display screen (LCD, CRT, flat panel, etc.), 3-D goggles,projection device, or any other visual output device. Display device 26displays images as commanded by an operating system application,simulation, game, etc.

Audio output device 24, such as speakers, provides sound output to user.In the context of the present invention, other audio-related devices mayalso be coupled to the host computer, such as stereo receivers,amplifiers, etc. Other types of peripherals can also be coupled to hostprocessor 20, such as storage devices (hard disk drive, CD ROM drive,floppy disk drive, etc.), printers, and other input and output devices.

The haptic feedback interface device 12, such as a mouse, knob, gamepad,trackball, joystick, remote control unit, PDA screen, etc., is coupledto host computer 14 by a bi-directional bus 30. The bi-directional bussends signals in either direction between host computer 14 and theinterface device. Bus 30 can be a serial interface bus, such as an RS232serial interface, RS-422, Universal Serial Bus (USB), MIDI, or otherprotocols well known to those skilled in the art; or a parallel bus orwireless link. Some interfaces can also provide power to the actuatorsof the device 12.

Device 12 can include a local processor 40. Local processor 40 canoptionally be included within the housing of device 12 to allowefficient communication with other components of the mouse. Processor 40can be provided with software instructions to wait for commands orrequests from computer host 14, decode the command or request, andhandle/control input and output signals according to the command orrequest. In addition, processor 40 can operate independently of hostcomputer 14 by reading sensor signals and calculating appropriate forcesor commands from those sensor signals, time signals, and stored orrelayed instructions selected in accordance with a host command.Suitable microprocessors for use as local processor 40 include theMC68HC711E9 by Motorola, the PIC16C74 by Microchip, and the 82930AX byIntel Corp., for example, as well as more sophisticated force feedbackprocessors such as the Immersion Touchsense Processor. Processor 40 caninclude one microprocessor chip, multiple processors and/or co-processorchips, and/or digital signal processor (DSP) capability.

Microprocessor 40 can receive signals from sensor(s) 42 and providesignals to actuator 44 in accordance with instructions provided by hostcomputer 14 over bus 30. For example, in a local control embodiment,host computer 14 provides high level supervisory commands to processor40 over bus 30, and processor 40 decodes the commands and manages lowlevel force control loops to sensors and the actuator in accordance withthe high level commands and independently of the host computer 14. Thisoperation is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,811 and5,734,373, both incorporated herein by reference. In the host controlloop, force commands from the host computer instruct the processor tooutput a force or force sensation having specified characteristics. Thelocal processor 40 reports locative and other sensor data to the hostcomputer which the host computer uses to update executed programs. Inthe local control loop, actuator signals are provided from the processor40 to actuator 44 and sensor signals are provided from the sensor 42 andother input devices 48 to the processor 40. The processor 40 can processinputted sensor signals to determine appropriate output actuator signalsby following stored instructions. Herein, the term “haptic sensation” or“tactile sensation” refers to either a single force or a sequence offorces output by the actuator which provide a sensation to the user. Theterm “haptic effect” generally refers to the commands, parameters,and/or data sent to the device that define a haptic effect and whichresults in a haptic sensation when the effect is output as forces to theuser by the device.

In yet other embodiments, other simpler hardware can be provided locallyto device 12 to provide functionality as processor 40. For example, ahardware state machine or ASIC incorporating fixed logic can be used toprovide signals to the actuator 44 and receive sensor signals fromsensors 42, and to output tactile signals according to a predefinedsequence, algorithm, or process.

In a different, host-controlled embodiment, host computer 14 can providelow-level force commands over bus 30, which are directly transmitted tothe actuator 44 via processor 40. Host computer 14 thus directlycontrols and processes all signals to and from the device 12. In thesimple host control embodiment, the signal from the host to the devicecan command the actuator to output a force at a predefined frequency andmagnitude, or can include a magnitude and/or a direction, or be a simplecommand that indicates a desired force value to apply over time.

Local memory 52, such as RAM and/or ROM, is preferably coupled toprocessor 40 in device 12 to store instructions for processor 40 andstore temporary and other data. For example, force profiles can bestored in memory 52, such as a sequence of stored force values that canbe output by the processor, or a look-up table of force values to beoutput based on the current position of the user object. In addition, alocal clock 54 can be coupled to the processor 40 to provide timingdata, similar to the system clock of host computer 14; the tithing datamight be required, for example, to compute forces output by actuator 44(e.g., forces dependent on calculated velocities or other time dependentfactors). In embodiments using the USB communication interface, timingdata for processor 40 can be alternatively retrieved from the USBsignal.

Sensors 42 sense the position or motion of the device and/or one or moremanipulandums or controls and provides signals to processor 40 (or host14) including information representative of the position or motion.Sensors suitable for detecting manipulation include digital opticalencoders, optical sensor systems, linear optical encoders,potentiometers, optical sensors, velocity sensors, acceleration sensors,strain gauge, or other types of sensors can also be used, and eitherrelative or absolute sensors can be provided. Optional sensor interface46 can be used to convert sensor signals to signals that can beinterpreted by the processor 40 and/or host 14.

Actuator(s) 44 outputs haptic sensations by transmitting forces to thehousing or one or more manipulandums of the device 12 in response tosignals received from processor 40 and/or host computer 14. Actuator 44can be any of many types of actuators, including active actuators suchas DC motors, voice coils, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, torquers,piezoelectric actuators, moving magnet actuators, etc., or passiveactuators such as brakes.

Actuator interface 50 can be optionally connected between actuator 44and processor 40 to convert signals from processor 40 into signalsappropriate to drive actuator 44. Interface 50 can include poweramplifiers, switches, digital to analog controllers (DACs), analog todigital controllers (ADCs), and other components, as is well known tothose skilled in the art. Other input devices 48 are included in device12 and send input signals to processor 40 or to host 14 when manipulatedby the user. Such input devices can include buttons, scroll wheels,d-pads, dials, switches, or other controls or mechanisms.

Power supply 56 can optionally be included in device 12 coupled toactuator interface 50 and/or actuator 44 to provide electrical power tothe actuator, or be provided as a separate component. Alternatively,power can be drawn from a power supply separate from device 12, or bereceived across the bus 30. Also, received power can be stored andregulated by device 12 and thus used when needed to drive actuator 44 orused in a supplementary fashion. Some embodiments can use a powerstorage device in the device to ensure that peak forces can be applied(as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,607, incorporated herein byreference). Alternatively, this technology can be employed in a wirelessdevice, in which case battery power is used to drive the tactileactuators. A safety switch 58 can optionally be included to allow a userto deactivate actuator 44 for safety reasons.

-   -   Many types of interface or control devices may be used with the        present invention described herein. For example, such interface        devices can include a haptic feedback trackball, joystick        handle, steering wheel, knob, handheld remote control device,        gamepad controller for video games or computer games, stylus,        grip, wheel, button, cellular phone, PDA, touchpad, or other        manipulatable object, surface, or housing.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a mouse embodiment 100 ofdevice 12 for use with the present invention.

Mouse device 100 includes a housing 101, a sensing system 102, and anactuator 104. Housing 101 is shaped to fit the user's hand like astandard mouse while the user moves the mouse in the planar degrees offreedom and manipulates the buttons 106. Other housing shapes can beprovided in many different embodiments.

Sensor 102 detects the position of the mouse in its planar degrees offreedom, e.g. along the X and Y axes. In the described embodiment,sensor 102 includes a standard mouse ball 110 for providing directionalinput to the computer system. Alternatively, an optical sensor or othertype of sensor can be used.

Mouse device 100 includes one or more actuators 104 for imparting hapticfeedback such as tactile sensations to the user of the mouse. Actuator104 is coupled to the housing 101 to provide haptic feedback to theuser. In one embodiment, the actuator is coupled to an inertial massthat is moved by the actuator. Inertial forces caused by the motion ofthe inertial mass are applied to the housing of the mouse with respectto the inertial mass, thereby conveying haptic feedback such as tactilesensations to the user who is contacting the housing. Some embodimentsallow the actuator to move itself as the inertial mass. Such embodimentsare described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,861 and U.S.application Ser. No. 09/585,741, both incorporated herein by reference.Other types of interface devices, such as gamepads, handheld remotecontrols, cellular phones, PDA's, etc., can include such an actuator forinertial tactile sensations.

Other types of interface devices and actuators can also be used with thepresent invention. For example, gamepads, mice, or other devices caninclude an eccentric rotating mass coupled to a rotating shaft of anactuator to provide inertial tactile sensations on the housing ormanipulandum of the device. Other types of haptic devices can providekinesthetic force feedback, such as joysticks, knobs, scroll wheels,gamepads, steering wheels, trackballs, mice, etc., in which forces areoutput in the sensed degree(s) of freedom of a manipulandum. Forexample, embodiments of a kinesthetic mouse haptic device are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,100,874 and 6,166,723, both incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Sound Output with Haptic Feedback

The present invention improves the user experience in the output ofhaptic sensations coordinated with the sound output of one or moreapplication programs (or other programs) running on the host computer.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides hapticeffects for output to a haptic feedback device based on sound signals ordata output by a host computer and which are output as haptic sensationsto the user. In some alternate embodiments, the haptic effects can besimilarly provided based on features in sound signals or data input to acomputer system, e.g. from a microphone or audio device. Temporalfeatures and characteristics of sound are identified and mapped to orassociated with preprogrammed haptic effects. The haptic sensationsbased on these haptic effects can be rendered immediately on hapticfeedback device 12, or can be stored in memory to form a “hapticprofile” of a given sound. The method of the present invention is not tosimply route sound signals directly to a haptic device for output ashaptic sensations, as is done in the prior art, but to associate avariety of high-level sound features with a variety of high-level hapticsensations, using the sound features to trigger the output of theappropriate haptic sensations.

An important advantage of the present invention is that compellinghaptic sensations are provided for any program that outputs sounds for avariety of events in that application program, e.g. games, without asoftware application developer having to expend effort in programmingthe haptic effects in the program. Thus, any game program off the shelfcan be easily made to work with haptic feedback devices regardless ofwhether the game includes code to control haptic devices or whether itwas only developed for non-haptic-feedback devices, allowing the user amore compelling interactive and immersive experience with a wide varietyof programs. Furthermore, the present invention can approximatelydistinguish between types of sound effects and associate differenthaptic sensations with different events, allowing a more rich experiencefor the user.

In one embodiment, a low-level driver program running on the hostcomputer performs the methods of the present invention. In otherembodiments, other levels of software running on the host (or on amicroprocessor of the haptic feedback device) can perform some or all ofthe features or steps of the present invention (application program,API, etc.). Program instructions for implementing the present inventioncan be stored as hardware (e.g. logic components) or software stored ona computer readable medium, such as electrical memory, magnetic disk,optical disk, magnetic tape, etc.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a first embodiment 200 of a methodof the present invention for providing haptic effects to be output ashaptic sensations based on given sound data or sound signal. The methodstarts at 202, and in optional step 204, haptic effects are commanded tothe device and not yet output to the user. For example, the hapticdevice 12 can include local memory that allows the device to store datafor a number of different haptic effects. The haptic effects resident inthe device memory can be played when a host command is received or basedon other conditions (a predetermined time period has passed, etc.). Thedata sent to the device can include parameters for the haptic effects;e.g., for a periodic vibration effects, the parameters can include afrequency, duration, and magnitude. The effects can be loaded to thedevice in step 204 and in some embodiments can be commanded to play,e.g. at a magnitude of zero, in preparation to be commanded to highermagnitudes at a later step. Step 204 is most appropriate for thoseembodiments in which the same set of haptic sensations are always outputto the user. In other embodiments, haptic effects can be commanded atthe time they are to be output to the user.

In next step 206, sound data is received from an application program orother software layer or program running on the host computer, oralternately, direction from an external audio device. The sound data ispreferably digital data that can be in any standardized format, such asMIDI, digital sound samples in a way file, an mp3 file, etc. The sounddata is received in step 206 when it is also to be routed to an audiooutput device such as speakers and output to the user as sound.Typically, the sound data is generated by the application program from asound event occurring in the application, such as a sound effect in agame resulting from game actions or events, music in a game or otherapplication program playing after a game starts or other event occurs, abeep in a graphical user interface interaction, the playing of musicfrom a CD or DVD, or other sound event. In the described embodiment, thesound data received at this step to be analyzed is currently beingoutput by speakers to the user. Thus, by the time the sound data isprocessed and haptic sensations output as described below, the sounddata has already been output to the user. However, since a small amountof sound data is stored, only a delay of milliseconds occurs betweensound and haptic output, which the user cannot discern. In otherembodiments in which the sound data output is known in advance, hapticsensations can be output simultaneously, or close to simultaneously,with the sound data that triggered them.

In step 208, a predetermined amount of the received sound data is storedin a temporary buffer in the memory of the host computer 14. In oneembodiment, this is an amount of data reasonably small enough to allowquick processing and associating with haptic sensations, while largeenough to permit meaningful processing and analysis. In one embodiment,a portion of sound data equivalent to about 10 ms of play is stored,although different amounts can be stored in other embodiments. Forexample, the sound can be digitally recorded in a 10 ms segment usingDirectSound or other sound capture API on the host computer.

In step 210, the stored sound data is processed and analyzed to identifyparticular sound characteristics or features which have been designatedas relevant in the determination of which haptic sensations are to beoutput, i.e. these sound features are to act as cues to trigger theoutput of haptic sensations. In broad terms, the present invention usesintelligent heuristics to extract sound features that are likely to havemeaning in an application program and to associate such sound featureswith predetermined, preprogrammed haptic sensations that correspondappropriately with the extracted sound features and the likely eventsthese features represent. For example, likely events in many currentvideo game applications may be explosions from bombs, grenades,missiles, etc., the firing of a weapon such as a gun or rocket, thecrash of a vehicle, the patter of footsteps, the sound of an objectsplashing into water, an alert sound for alerting the player to somegame event, etc. These events may have particular sound features whichcan be recognized from the received sound data after appropriateanalysis.

A variety of different ways can be employed to process the data; someembodiments are described below with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. Theseparticular embodiments perform processing on the sound data to dividethe waveform represented by the sound data into a number of differentfrequency ranges according to the present invention. Each frequencyrange of sound can then be analyzed separately for particular soundfeatures. This frequency range division has the advantage that soundsoften occur in different frequency ranges based on the event thattriggered the sound; for example, an explosion in a game may have a lowfrequency sound while a gun shot may have a higher frequency sound.Types of events might therefore be approximately distinguished based onthe frequency range in which the sound is located, allowing differenthaptic effects to be commanded and output as described below.

Once the sound data has been processed and analyzed, in next step 212,haptic commands are output to the haptic device to cause hapticsensations to be output to the user manipulating the device. The hapticcommands are triggered based on the sound features, if any, found in thesound data in step 210. Intelligent heuristics can be used to assigndifferent haptic sensations to different types of sounds based, forexample, on the frequencies of the sounds or other characteristics ofthe sounds. The haptic commands can cause device-resident haptic effectsto start playing or play at a commanded magnitude. In one embodiment,the haptic effects that are already resident in memory on the devicefrom step 204 are modified with new parameters or data as appropriate toimplement the desired haptic sensations. Alternatively, new hapticeffects can be created and commanded to be output immediately by thedevice as haptic sensations. As explained above, the haptic sensationsresulting from the commands may be output slightly after the associatedsound features have been output as audio, but preferably soon enough sothat the user cannot tell that there was a delay.

In one embodiment, the commanded haptic sensations can be set to amagnitude proportional to the sound data magnitude in the associatedfrequency range. For example, embodiments discussed with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, the sound data is filtered or organized into 5 differentfrequency ranges. Each of these frequency ranges can have a differenthaptic sensation associated with it. For example, using an availableinertial tactile feedback mouse, a periodic haptic effect of differentfrequency is associated with each of the frequency ranges. Thus, forexample, a periodic haptic effect having a haptic frequency of 62 Hz(e.g., at or near a first resonance frequency of the haptic device tocause high magnitude sensations) is associated with the first soundfrequency range (e.g., 0 Hz to 150 Hz). The other periodic hapticeffects can have haptic frequencies of 75 Hz, 90 Hz, 115 Hz, and 250 Hz,each corresponding to another sound frequency range in ascending order(other periodic frequencies can be used in other embodiments). Themagnitudes of each of these periodic haptic effects can be set to avalue proportional to the magnitude of the sound data in the associatedfrequency range. A running average of magnitude of ambient sound levelscan be used as a minimum threshold for haptic effect generation, e.g. ifthe sound signal for a particular frequency range has a higher magnitudethan the threshold, then a haptic effect associated with that frequencyrange can be commanded to be output or can be commanded to have amagnitude above a zero level.

The method presented above thus varies the magnitudes of five differenthaptic effects based on the corresponding varying magnitudes indifferent frequency ranges of the sound signal represented by the sounddata. With some sounds that have components in all the frequency ranges,this may cause five different haptic effects to be output at once.However, since many sound features that are spread across severalfrequency ranges last for a short amount of time, the user perceivesonly a short vibration or series of pulses rather than a mush ofdifferent frequencies. Other more sustained sound effects may beconcentrated in only one or two frequency ranges which will cause onlyone or two haptic effects to be output simultaneously (the hapticeffects for the other frequency ranges will be set to zero magnitude).The user will thus feel a haptic sensations that roughly corresponds tothe sound effect's frequency. This is also discussed with respect toFIG. 4.

Thus, the amplitude of a haptic sensation that is associated with aparticular frequency range or band can correspond directly with themagnitude level of a sound signal in that frequency band, as explainedabove. In addition to this continuous haptic output, sudden spikes ofamplitude in the sound signal can be mapped to additional jolts, pulses,or other short, strong haptic sensations which can be overlaid on thecontinuous vibration sensations.

In other embodiments, more sophisticated haptic sensations can be outputbased on the sound data processing and analysis of step 210 and based onintelligent heuristics. In many applications such as games, the type ofsound may be able to be determined based which frequency ranges it isprimarily located. This allows a more sophisticated mapping scheme,where completely different haptic sensations can be mapped to differentsound frequency ranges. This is also discussed with respect to FIG. 5.

For example, it is often the case that weapon fire in a video gameapplication is associated with a sudden burst of high frequency sound.Using this fact as an intelligent heuristic, in step 210 the soundoutput data from the game can be analyzed and a feature that indicatesthat a high frequency sound has been output identified. For example, aparticular frequency range can be checked for a sudden burst or spike inamplitude of sound. In step 212, a haptic sensation associated withweapon fire can be intelligently commanded to be output based on thesound burst found in the sound. In some embodiments, the hapticsensation can be modified on the fly while the sound and the hapticsensations are playing, where the magnitude and duration of the hapticsensation is continually adjusted based on the magnitude of the soundburst above a predetermined threshold, the duration of the burst, and/orthe specific frequency content of the burst.

In some embodiments, a completely different haptic profile can beselected for a sound feature based on the specifics of the soundfeature, where a pre-programmed mapping between sound characteristicsand haptic effects is consulted (e.g., a look-up table or data table canbe stored in memory). For example, a sound burst in a very differentfrequency range might trigger a completely different haptic sensation. Alow frequency sound burst in a video game might be, for example, thesound of a footstep of a character. An appropriate haptic sensation canbe mapped to that sound feature, such as a low-frequency vibration orundulating force.

Some games or other programs may output similar sound effects forsimilar events to allow approximate mapping as discussed above. Othergames and programs, however, may have different events associated withsimilar-sounding sounds. Therefore, in one embodiment, a particularlook-up table or other mapping data can be associated with eachindividual game (or other application program). Using the table, themethod of the present invention can identify on the table which game isplaying and then find the appropriate mapping between soundcharacteristics of that game and haptic sensations that have beenassigned by the table's author. This allows for tuning of the heuristicstailored for specific games, enabling more accurate mappings. This canbe advantageous to developers, who will not have to put haptic effectsor mappings in their games themselves, but can rely on the manufacturersof the haptic devices to put out driver updates including hapticmappings for games currently available based on the sound output.

In alternate embodiments, the haptic effects that are associated withthe found sound features are not immediately output as haptic-sensationsto the user, but are instead stored in memory to form a “haptic profile”of a given sound. This can be used to assist in the design of hapticeffects. For example, a sound file can be loaded and the user can selecta control in a graphical user interface to cause the method of thepresent invention to generate a compound haptic effect that correspondsto the sound. The generated haptic effect (or haptic magnitudes, forcevalues, etc.) can be then used in a program by commanding the generatedcompound haptic effect. Alternatively, the haptic profile (generatedeffect) can become a new haptic effect primitive to allow developers tocreate new effects based on this primitive, e.g. periodic effects,textures, temporal profiles, etc. can be created.

For example, a game may have hundreds of sound effects. The method ofthe present invention can be instructed to load the game's sound filesand create haptic effects from the sound data in a standardized format(such as .ifr files, used in protocols created by Immersion Corp. of SanJose, Calif.) in a few seconds. Thus, a developer need not create eachhaptic effect manually, saving great amount of development time. Adesigner could also examine the generated haptic effects and edit them,if desired. This is advantageous to developers who wish to add code totheir games to command haptic effects to haptic devices in thetraditional way, but who do not wish to spend large amounts of timedesigning the appropriate haptic effects.

After the output of the haptic sensation, the method returns to step 206to check if further sound data is received. If so, a next portion ofsound data is processed as discussed above. If no further sound data isreceived, the process is complete at 242 (to be started again the nexttime sound data is output).

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for step 210 ofFIG. 3, in which the sound data stored in the buffer is processed andanalyzed. The method starts at 270, and in step 272, the stored sounddata is set through multiple filters to isolate different frequencyranges. For example, to divide the sound data into five frequency rangesas described in the example above, a low-pass filter, a high-passfilter, and three bandpass filters can be employed. As one example, thelow-pass filter can filter out all data in the frequencies outside 0-170Hz, the first bandpass filter can filter out all frequencies except170-430 Hz, the second bandpass filter can filter out all frequenciesexcept 430 Hz-2 kHz, the third bandpass filter can filter out allfrequencies except 2-10 kHz, and the high-pass filter can filter out allfrequencies lower than 10 kHz.

In step 274, a running average of the sound magnitude from each of thefilter outputs is maintained. This allows ambient sounds output from thecomputer to be averaged out so that only sounds louder than the ambientlevel will trigger haptic sensations. In next step 276, the magnitudesof the filter outputs are scaled to a range that is required for thehaptic device 12 that the user is using. Thus, the actual filter outputsare not used to generate haptic sensations as in the prior art, but newhaptic commands and effects are created based on the filter outputs.

In some embodiments, the square of each filter's output magnitude can bescaled. This may be more effective in some embodiments to pick out onlythe larger peaks or spikes in each frequency range of sound data andreduce a sustained rumble/vibration of the device that may occur fromtoo many peaks being detected.

In next step 278, periodic haptic effects are assigned to each of thefilter's outputs. The periodic effects can each be assigned a magnitudeequal to the scaled magnitude found for each filter. If a filter has nooutput, i.e. no sound of that frequency range is present in the sounddata, or if a filter's output is not above a predetermined thresholdamplitude, then the haptic effect assigned to that frequency range wouldbe assigned a magnitude of zero. The periodic sensations can each haveone of five haptic frequencies found to be effective in conveying thecorresponding sound frequency. Such periodic haptic sensations, such asvibrations, are quite appropriate for tactile devices such as gamepadsor mice providing inertial tactile sensations. The vibrations can alsobe output by kinesthetic feedback devices. Other types haptic sensationscan also be output by kinesthetic device embodiments, having magnitudesbased on the scaled magnitudes determined above. The type of hapticsensations assigned can be different in different embodiments, such aspops, jolts, springs, damping, etc., can also be output havingmagnitudes based on the scaled magnitudes; for example, a pre-programmedmapping can be consulted to assign a mapped haptic effect.

The method is then complete at 280. The assigned periodic hapticsensations can be used in the next step 212 of FIG. 3, where hapticsensations are output top the user by commanding the haptic effects tothe haptic feedback device.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a different embodiment 210′ ofstep 210 of FIG. 3, in which the sound data stored in the buffer isprocessed and analyzed. The method starts at 290, and in step 292, aFast Fourier Transform (FFT) is performed on the sound data to filterthe data into different frequency components of the data's frequencyspectrum. The frequency components each span a frequency range based onthe number of components output by the FFT and the entire frequencyrange covered. For example, if the FFT has 512-outputs, and the entirefrequency range of the sound data is about 22 kHz, the each FFT outputfrequency component has a frequency range of 22 kHz/512=about 43 Hz.These frequency components can then be grouped to sum to desiredfrequency ranges. For example, to achieve the five frequency rangessimilar to the embodiment of FIG. 4, four components can be combined tocover the first frequency range of 0-170 Hz, 6 components cover therange 170-430 Hz, 37 components cover the range 430 Hz-2 kHz, 185components cover the range 2 kHz-10 kHz, and 256 components cover therange 10-22 kHz. Other frequency ranges and components can be used inother embodiments.

In next step 294, the method checks whether any of the frequency rangesgrouped in step 292 have predetermined characteristics. Thesecharacteristics are features in the sound data that are significantenough to trigger the output of haptic sensations. In one embodiment, anaverage amplitude is maintained for each frequency range, and a spike inthe amplitude is looked for. If a spike in amplitude of 3-4 times theaverage amplitude is found, then that is deemed significant and a hapticeffect should be assigned to or triggered by that feature.

If predetermined characteristics are found, then the process continuesto step 296 to assign haptic effects to those frequency ranges havingthe predetermined characteristics, and the process is complete at 298and the method returns to step 212 of FIG. 3. If in step 294 nofrequency ranges are found to have the desired characteristics, then theprocess is complete at 298 and the method returns to step 212 of FIG. 3.

The haptic effects that are assigned to the frequency ranges having thedesired characteristics can be any of several different types and/orhave different parameters, and need not have a magnitude proportional tothe amplitude of the corresponding sound data. For example, a jolt,pulse, or detent can be mapped to any extracted sound features (such asrise in amplitude). The magnitude of the jolt or detent can be based onthe frequency range in which the amplitude spike was found, e.g. lowerfrequency ranges can be assigned higher magnitude haptic sensations (orvice-versa). Periodic sensations, directional sensations (for hapticdevices able to output forces in particular directions in degrees offreedom of the device), spring sensations, damping sensations, etc. canbe mapped to the different frequency ranges. In one embodiment, a hapticsensation can be increased in magnitude corresponding to the increasedsound data amplitude, then the haptic amplitude can be ramped downautomatically back to a zero level. Again, a pre-programmed mappingbetween sound features and haptic sensations can be consulted.

The FFT outputs of the embodiment of FIG. 5 tend to be more efficientand provide more information than the filter outputs of the embodimentof FIG. 4. For example, FFT's can provide more detailed frequencyinformation about where a spike in amplitude occurs, the phase offset ofwaves or features in the sound signal, etc. It should also be noted thatthe assigning or triggering of different types of haptic sensationsdescribed above for FIG. 5 can also be performed in the embodiment ofFIG. 4, and the magnitudes of haptic sensations proportional to soundamplitudes of FIG. 4 can be performed in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

In some applications, the ambient background sounds, such as backgroundmusic in game applications, can be ignored so that only sound effects inthe game trigger haptic sensations to be output. Often, the sound effectmagnitudes are much higher than the background music amplitudes,allowing the sound effects to be found as spikes above an averageamplitude. In other circumstances, background music can ignored andsound effects processed by the type of audio data. For example, if thebackground music is in a MIDI format and the sound effects are .wavfiles, then MIDI data can be ignored and way data processed by thepresent invention to provide haptic sensations.

Some embodiments can also allow the user to enter preferences which canadjust how the sound data is analyzed, how the haptic effects areassigned, and how the haptic sensations are output. For example, hapticeffect strength, the minimum threshold level of amplitude to recognize asound feature (e.g., so that background music can be better ignored in agame), etc.

The present invention can also be used in other types of applicationprograms besides games. For example, a user's experience of streamingaudio can be enhanced by adding haptic sensations to the audio output,so that if the user is contacting the haptic device while listening tothe audio output, features in the audio such as music beats, sustainednotes, features of speech etc. can be haptically experienced by theuser. Likewise, the present invention can be used with a sound trackthat is output with streaming video, e.g. over a network such as theInternet.

While this invention has been described in terms of several preferredembodiments, it is contemplated that alterations, permutations andequivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the artupon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. Forexample, many different embodiments of haptic feedback devices can beused to output the haptic sensations described herein, includingjoysticks, steering wheels, gamepads, and remote controls. Furthermore,certain terminology has been used for the purposes of descriptiveclarity, and not to limit the present invention.

1-28. (canceled)
 29. A method for triggering a haptic effect,comprising: receiving, by at least one processor, sound data; applying,by the processor, a plurality of filters to the sound data, wherein theplurality of filters divide the sound data into a plurality of frequencyranges, and wherein the plurality of filters includes at least onebandpass filter; analyzing, by the processor, at least one frequencyrange; determining, by the processor, one or more sound features basedon the analyzed at least one frequency range; and triggering, by theprocessor, at least one haptic effect based on the determined one ormore sound features.
 30. A method for triggering a haptic effect,comprising: receiving, by at least one processor, sound data; analyzing,by the processor, a plurality of portions of the sound data, eachportion of the sound data having a sound magnitude; generating, by theprocessor, an average of sound magnitudes of the plurality of portionsof the sound data; determining, by the processor, one or more soundfeatures from at least one portion of sound data; and triggering, by theprocessor, at least one haptic effect when the one or more soundfeatures from the at least one portion of sound data have a soundmagnitude above a threshold value from the average.
 31. The method ofclaim 30, wherein the average is a running average of the plurality ofportions of the sound data.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein saiddetermining includes applying a plurality of filters to the at least oneportion of sound data, wherein the plurality of filters divide the atleast one portion of sound data into a plurality of frequency ranges,and wherein the one or more sound features are determined from at leastone of the plurality of frequency ranges.
 33. The method of claim 30,wherein said generating includes applying a plurality of filters to eachportion of sound data, wherein the plurality of filters divide eachportion of sound data into a plurality of frequency ranges, and whereinthe average of sound magnitudes is computed for each frequency range.34. A method for triggering a haptic effect, comprising: receiving, byat least one processor, sound data; analyzing, by the processor, a firstportion of the sound data and a second portion of the sound data;determining, by the processor, a first sound feature from the analyzedfirst portion of the sound data and a second sound feature from theanalyzed second portion of the sound data; determining, by theprocessor, a difference between the first sound feature and the secondsound feature; and triggering, by the processor, at least one hapticeffect when the difference exceeds a threshold value.
 35. The method ofclaim 34, wherein said determining the first sound feature and thesecond sound feature includes applying a plurality of filters to thefirst portion of the sound data and the second portion of the sounddata, wherein the plurality of filters divide the first portion of thesound data feature and the second portion of the sound data into aplurality of frequency ranges, and wherein the first sound feature andthe second sound feature are determined from at least one of theplurality of frequency ranges.
 36. A system for triggering a hapticeffect, comprising: one or more processors configured to: receive sounddata; apply a plurality of filters to the sound data, wherein theplurality of filters divide the sound data into a plurality of frequencyranges, and wherein the plurality of filters includes at least onebandpass filter; analyze at least one frequency range; determine one ormore sound features based on the analyzed at least one frequency range;and trigger at least one haptic effect based on the determined one ormore sound features.
 37. A system for triggering a haptic effect,comprising: one or more processors configured to: receive sound data;analyze a plurality of portions of the sound data, each portion of thesound data having a sound magnitude; generate an average of soundmagnitudes of the plurality of portions of the sound data; determine oneor more sound features from at least one portion of sound data; andtrigger at least one haptic effect when the one or more sound featuresfrom the at least one portion of sound data have a sound magnitude abovea threshold value from the average.
 38. The system of claim 37, whereinthe average is a running average of the plurality of portions of thesound data.
 39. The system of claim 37, wherein said determine one ormore sound features includes an application of a plurality of filters tothe at least one portion of sound data, wherein the plurality of filtersdivide the at least one portion of sound data into a plurality offrequency ranges, and wherein the one or more sound features aredetermined from at least one of the plurality of frequency ranges. 40.The system of claim 37, wherein said generate an average includes anapplication of a plurality of filters to each portion of sound data,wherein the plurality of filters divide each portion of sound data intoa plurality of frequency ranges, and wherein the average of soundmagnitudes is computed for each frequency range.
 41. A system fortriggering a haptic effect, comprising: one or more processorsconfigured to: receive sound data; analyze a first portion of the sounddata and a second portion of the sound data; determine a first soundfeature from the analyzed first portion of the sound data and a secondsound feature from the analyzed second portion of the sound data;determine a difference between the first sound feature and the secondsound feature; and trigger at least one haptic effect when thedifference exceeds a threshold value.
 42. The system of claim 41,wherein said determine the first sound feature and the second soundfeature includes an application of a plurality of filters to the firstportion of the sound data and the second portion of the sound data,wherein the plurality of filters divide the first portion of the sounddata feature and the second portion of the sound data into a pluralityof frequency ranges, and wherein the first sound feature and the secondsound feature are determined from at least one of the plurality offrequency ranges.